Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Running bean on April 09, 2016, 20:22
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I only got my half plot at the end of last year but just in enough time to plant some kale and PSB which has done really well. I followed advice on here and covered using debris netting supported by the blue mdpe water tubing.
To make the water tubing into a rigid frame I used a row of canes along the top of the tubing down the full length of the bed using the green nylon garden string. The only problem has been that over winter with the wind and bit if snow we have had I've had to keep re securing the canes when they've come loose.
My question is. Is there something better to use than string to secure the canes to the piping? I wondered if cable ties or something else may perform better this year? Thank you
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I use cable ties in many situations around the garden - very useful.
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If it doesn't move and it should use WD40.
If it does move and it shouldn't use duct tape.
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I have screwed 2 lengths of wood (1"X1" thick) the tops of my tubing. Works great and lasted the winter fine.
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as said timber (tile batten or similar, you can use metal strapping round the ends and secure in from the end to prevent splitting).
you could also drill a hole in one side of the water pipe to put the canes into. you would prob be better to stagger the holes so they push against the pipe. should be able to use adhesive on the end canes/ hoops and rope from one end to the other to keep the canes pushing on themselves and hold the hoops in. hope that makes sense.
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I do mine in domes like this:
(http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii525/emilyrfong/075_zpsivvdvbgw.jpg) (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/emilyrfong/media/075_zpsivvdvbgw.jpg.html)
(idea courtesy of this forum!)
I drill holes where they cross and secure them with wire. They sit in in drain pipes like this which are pushed into the soil:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Black-Roundline-Downpipe-Length-2000mm/p/431865
This makes it very easy to move the frame when I move its location each year.
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That looks really smart.
How do you tension it and is there a bottom bar that I can just see?
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No-nothing that high tech! I think you can see a white 3-pronged peg.
It's been a year since I've done it...I think what I've found works best is tying some excess netting in one corner to the pipe, peg it down to create the tension and then gather the excess netting at the other end , peg it strategically to keep the tension and make it tidy the excess.
Hopefully I can remember when I move it next month!
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Thanks for the feedback. Some great ideas there :)